Valis, Divine Invasion and the Exegesis are what partially brought me to the Bible. I thank Philip K. Dick for that. I have combined Judaism, Christianity and Gnosticism together - much like he did. PKD changed my life, such an influence.
I find that spoilers always make me want to pick up a book more haha; like you said, it’s great to read something with the ending in mind. I own and haven’t read Ubik and A Scanner Darkly, so I’ll probably get to those first, but I can’t wait to experience this one! I smiled when you brought up how opposites are two sides of the same thing because I’m reading Phaedo right now and I just read the bit where Socrates explains how something always emerges from its opposite. What a coincidence
I love this breakdown. I've told you in the past how I'm interested in Book, but not the series, due to some claims of a show I love being inspired by this. It answered some questions for me about being able to read this by itself. The themes of loneliness and music make it a lot more clear some of the similarities weren't really expressed well in the previous source I was referring to but I bet I'd see and pull it out. SPOILER: I like the concept of word of God symbolism and being one but represented by two things. I wish I understood Kabbalah better. I'm doing some research and really struggling with how foreign some of the concepts are and being able to better understand and interpret them. I hadn't thought of Manni being short for Emanuel before either. Good comments on opposites. Too often we think of opposites as an opposition.
You are in for some good stuff with this one, it is a quick read. As you can see, brings up alot of questions. You would love it from an analytical perspective. Thanks Una!
What is interesting is that his experience with a light glistening off of a young woman's necklace is similar to Jakob Boehme's experience of a light coming off of a pewter dish. Jakob Boehme went to go on and write some bizarre takes on God, the Devil, etc in many works that are difficult to understand as well.
Who (ultimately) was Asher? How important was Elias? These are crucial aspects of the book that you probably didn't have time to cover but were important. I found the idea that Jesus Christ was portrayed as having failed in his mission to Earth as an interesting side-note in the story. The story of Manny was basically a riff off of the story of the virgin birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Of course in the Jewish dialogue, the rabbi Jesus was/is not the Messiah, so I understand how that could be a problem with the story from a consistency aspect. Yet the Torah is still a part of the Christian Bible to this day (although most christians do not understand the power of the Hebrew language and God's divine nature in resect to the Torah). The main theocratic power in the story was a merging of the Islamic and Catholic councils. The other governing force was the scientific/technological sector. It is very interesting to me that these two forces are still in play yet have never been reconciled as in this futuristic story. The use of A.I. was shown to be thwarted and the spiritual power of the clergy was wasted too. This is the most prescient part to me. The amnesia that Manny had was a very important part of the story and helped to create a dramatic unveiling of the plot. The use of Zina and Elias to help Manny reveal who he was was skipped over in your review. I get it, you had only a short time to condense this. P.K.Dick was truly a genius.
I like the book a lot - but I felt bad for Rybys. The first universe seemed to be focused entirely on Rybys and Emmanuel. But that whole plan concerning them fell apart: Rybys died and Emmanuel got brain damage. Then, the second universe seems to majorly focus on Linda Fox and Zina. Linda Fox ends up defeating Belial and Rybys doesn't play as much as a significant role in the second universe. The second universe seems more of like a "selfish" universe for Herb since he gets to have Linda Fox and completely ignore Rybys. Linda ends up saving the day and Rybys, well, gets hurt by Herb. Rybys died in the first universe and then Herb breaks up with her in the second universe. Not a good ending for her. Those are some of my thoughts. What do you think of Rybys?
Rybys is a being of self consumption. She is a figurehead of the "Body" or material world without any regard for the spirit or soul. Totally consumed with her own feelings and condition but not even remotely aware or in tune with anything else. This is evident from all the "worlds" she inhabits and in turn, trys to drags down Asher. Of course She is the imperfect vessel for the birth of the god figure of Emmanuel, but even that doesn't have any effect on her soul.
Its too bad he didn't get to finish his trilogy with The Owl in Daylight. I would like to have seen where he was going to finish this. Honestly I feel like you could lump A Scanner Darkly into this universe, a near future that eventually becomes The Divine Invasion.
I believe PkD may have had some timeline in mind but, his interests are so varied. It is hard to locate any actual synthesis....what awesome exploration tho!
Not sure if you have read or have already done a video on it, but I think The Dispossessed by Le Guin is right up your alley. I did not like it for all the reasons I think you will like it.
Haha my tastes are broad. I love Ursula K LeGuin but, have not read that one yet. I support spirituality, not institutionalized religion. Thanks for the recommendation!
@@EveryoneWhoReadsitMustConverse Good character descriptions, PKD was meticulous and the pronunciation is descriptive as well or I wouldn’t have bothered. Good stuff on the share. Val(Kilmer)is😉
I firmly believe Joseph Smith stole Freemason secrets and made it into a cult. And that's why the Freemasons killed him. Blood paths of secrecy are required for membership in the Brotherhood.
Valis, Divine Invasion and the Exegesis are what partially brought me to the Bible. I thank Philip K. Dick for that. I have combined Judaism, Christianity and Gnosticism together - much like he did. PKD changed my life, such an influence.
This is my first thorough exploration of PKD so thankyou
My pleasure, there is another exploration on my channel of this work, too!
Excellent job brother. And some salient points rendered crystal clear.
Thank youuuuu
Amazing exploration. This one sounds fascinating!
I find that spoilers always make me want to pick up a book more haha; like you said, it’s great to read something with the ending in mind. I own and haven’t read Ubik and A Scanner Darkly, so I’ll probably get to those first, but I can’t wait to experience this one!
I smiled when you brought up how opposites are two sides of the same thing because I’m reading Phaedo right now and I just read the bit where Socrates explains how something always emerges from its opposite. What a coincidence
It is! You are saying "what?" alot during the story playing out and at the end, want to start over from the beginning again 😊
@@EveryoneWhoReadsitMustConverse I agree. I’m happy you were able to see the comment! My comments get deleted sometimes for no reason haha
@@tothelithouse6562 happens to us all 🙃
I love this breakdown. I've told you in the past how I'm interested in Book, but not the series, due to some claims of a show I love being inspired by this. It answered some questions for me about being able to read this by itself.
The themes of loneliness and music make it a lot more clear some of the similarities weren't really expressed well in the previous source I was referring to but I bet I'd see and pull it out.
SPOILER: I like the concept of word of God symbolism and being one but represented by two things. I wish I understood Kabbalah better. I'm doing some research and really struggling with how foreign some of the concepts are and being able to better understand and interpret them.
I hadn't thought of Manni being short for Emanuel before either.
Good comments on opposites. Too often we think of opposites as an opposition.
You are in for some good stuff with this one, it is a quick read. As you can see, brings up alot of questions. You would love it from an analytical perspective. Thanks Una!
What is interesting is that his experience with a light glistening off of a young woman's necklace is similar to Jakob Boehme's experience of a light coming off of a pewter dish. Jakob Boehme went to go on and write some bizarre takes on God, the Devil, etc in many works that are difficult to understand as well.
It is interesting, I love Jakob Boehme
@@EveryoneWhoReadsitMustConverse I think I do too, at least the bits I think I understand!
Fanciful! Phantsy! Phanciful! Fantasy! 😄
Very wild stuff 😍😍
cheers, mate
Who (ultimately) was Asher? How important was Elias? These are crucial aspects of the book that you probably didn't have time to cover but were important.
I found the idea that Jesus Christ was portrayed as having failed in his mission to Earth as an interesting side-note in the story. The story of Manny was basically a riff off of the story of the virgin birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Of course in the Jewish dialogue, the rabbi Jesus was/is not the Messiah, so I understand how that could be a problem with the story from a consistency aspect. Yet the Torah is still a part of the Christian Bible to this day (although most christians do not understand the power of the Hebrew language and God's divine nature in resect to the Torah).
The main theocratic power in the story was a merging of the Islamic and Catholic councils. The other governing force was the scientific/technological sector. It is very interesting to me that these two forces are still in play yet have never been reconciled as in this futuristic story. The use of A.I. was shown to be thwarted and the spiritual power of the clergy was wasted too. This is the most prescient part to me.
The amnesia that Manny had was a very important part of the story and helped to create a dramatic unveiling of the plot. The use of Zina and Elias to help Manny reveal who he was was skipped over in your review. I get it, you had only a short time to condense this.
P.K.Dick was truly a genius.
I like the book a lot - but I felt bad for Rybys. The first universe seemed to be focused entirely on Rybys and Emmanuel. But that whole plan concerning them fell apart: Rybys died and Emmanuel got brain damage. Then, the second universe seems to majorly focus on Linda Fox and Zina. Linda Fox ends up defeating Belial and Rybys doesn't play as much as a significant role in the second universe. The second universe seems more of like a "selfish" universe for Herb since he gets to have Linda Fox and completely ignore Rybys. Linda ends up saving the day and Rybys, well, gets hurt by Herb. Rybys died in the first universe and then Herb breaks up with her in the second universe. Not a good ending for her. Those are some of my thoughts. What do you think of Rybys?
Gathering thoughts...
Rybys is a being of self consumption. She is a figurehead of the "Body" or material world without any regard for the spirit or soul. Totally consumed with her own feelings and condition but not even remotely aware or in tune with anything else. This is evident from all the "worlds" she inhabits and in turn, trys to drags down Asher. Of course She is the imperfect vessel for the birth of the god figure of Emmanuel, but even that doesn't have any effect on her soul.
When I first read VALIS I straight away could tell this book was not "fiction" . It's real alright!
So wild!
Based on what you are saying about the Goat, that seems like the Azazael goat (Scape-goat) of Leviticus 16
Now that is very interesting, I'm digging into it after work today. No doubt the Torah is the most important book for PkD
Its too bad he didn't get to finish his trilogy with The Owl in Daylight. I would like to have seen where he was going to finish this. Honestly I feel like you could lump A Scanner Darkly into this universe, a near future that eventually becomes The Divine Invasion.
I believe PkD may have had some timeline in mind but, his interests are so varied. It is hard to locate any actual synthesis....what awesome exploration tho!
Mani ( مانی) is the name of a Persian prophet who established Gnosticism known as Manichaeism.
Look it up.
I will. Thank you! 😁
Not sure if you have read or have already done a video on it, but I think The Dispossessed by Le Guin is right up your alley. I did not like it for all the reasons I think you will like it.
Haha my tastes are broad. I love Ursula K LeGuin but, have not read that one yet. I support spirituality, not institutionalized religion. Thanks for the recommendation!
@@EveryoneWhoReadsitMustConverse that is why you would like it
Thanks for the share. I believe VALIS is pronounced as vowel-es.
It is an acronym and a made-up word. Appreciate that. How about what I said about the book? 😝
@@EveryoneWhoReadsitMustConverse Good character descriptions, PKD was meticulous and the pronunciation is descriptive as well or I wouldn’t have bothered. Good stuff on the share. Val(Kilmer)is😉
What impresses me he describes the hologram of the Bible nearly 2 decades before the book The Bible Code
Torah as living, extra-dimensional being 🤯🤯
This sounds like what Joseph Smith would have written if he had lived in our age.
You are not far off! 😝
I firmly believe Joseph Smith stole Freemason secrets and made it into a cult. And that's why the Freemasons killed him. Blood paths of secrecy are required for membership in the Brotherhood.